Recall

665.  "Recall"            January 2, 2013
Jude 24-25   Part 15 
Summary of Jude
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.   KJV

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes it is good to recall things and other times it is best to leave the past in the past. I can think on the many blessings which God poured out on me and my family this past year. These years seem to be flying by, don't they. Maybe it's because I am getting older. Can you believe it is 2013? Just yesterday it was the 1990's.

Here we read the benediction of Jude, the brother of James and half brother of Jesus. He wrote to encourage believers in Jesus to warn them of apostasy.

Jude causes us to recall some things about God that I often don't consider:

1. God is able to keep me from falling, which means not stumbling, standing firm, exempt from
    falling. (Thayer's Lexicon)

    The people of God are liable to falling into temptation, into sin, into errors and mistakes, from a
    degree of steadfastness in Gospel truths, and even into a final and total apostasy, were it not for
    divine power; and they are not able to keep themselves.
    (The New John Gill Expisition of the Entire Bible)

    However, I believe Christians are preserved by the grace of God.

2. Jesus is able to present us faultless before a Holy God. How? Believers that have trusted in Jesus as
    Savior, asked His forgiveness of sins, are clothed in Jesus' robe of Rightousness. It is a robe
    washed in the blood of the Lamb of Godwhich He sees us clothed in, not our filthy rags of sin.

3. Everyone will be joyful, Jesus who presents us, God who receives us, angels who observe us, and
    we who were sinners on earth. Will there be shouts of joy?

4. The only wise God our Savior Jesus, is part of the Trinity-Father and Holy Spirit. He is the author
     of all wisdom, natural and spiritual.
     "God is by nature a saving God, unlike the reluctant and indifferent false deities of human and
     demon invention. Divine wisdom is embodied by Christ alone and not by any human person or
     group, like the apostates," says The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

5. He is glorious in His deity, divine sonship, mediatorial works, and salvation!

6. He is majestic-King of kings and Lord of lords.

7. He has dominion over everything, both natural and supernatural, on earth, under the earth, and
    above the earth.

8. He is all-powerful, omnipotent. Eventually, every knee will bow to King Jesus and the evil devil
    will be defeated.

9. Both now and forever be glory, majesty, dominion, and power to our God.

Wow! He is The Great I AM.

LET IT GROW

John MacArthur has a profile of an apostate that summarizes the descriptions which Jude warned believers about:

• ungodly (v.4)
• morally perverted (v.4)
• deny Christ (v.4)
• defile the flesh (v.8)
• rebellious (v.10)
• revile holy angels (v.8)
• dreamers (v.10)
• ignorant (v.10)
• corrupted (v.10)
• grumblers (v.16)
• fault-finders (v.16)
• self-seeking (v.16)
• arrogant speakers (v.16)
• flatterers (v.16)
• mockers (v.18)
• cause division (v.19)
• worldly minded (v.19)
• without the Spirit (v.19).

I sure don't want to be like those false teachers.

* As I was reading for tomorrow's lesson, I found out some interesting history, which involves two grandsons of Jude. Domitian was an emperor at that time (90's A.D.). He followed the nortorious Nero in ruling the Roman empire. Here is what Charles Swindoll, the author of Swindoll's New Testament Insights on Revelation said:

Domitian, afraid of the kingdom of God and wanting to rid the world of any threats to his own power, sought out the known descendants of King David. He called in two grandsons of Jesus' brother Jude for questioning regarding the nature of Christ's kingdom and whether they wrere heirs to the throne. To Domitian's surprise, however, these Jewish Christian relatives of Jesus explained that the kingdom they believed in and proclaimed was not earthly but heavenly, and it was to be established at the end of the world. Additionally, the two had little monetary worth. After showing the emperor their empty pockets, he released them from custody.
 

I pray that my children and grandchildren will continue to have faith and serve our Lord Jesus throughout their lives. This is the type of lineage I desire. How about you?

LET IT GO

Let go of grumbling and fault finding, worldly mindedness, ungodliness.

Thank Jesus for being all-powerful, all wise, and ever present.

Praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Give God all the glory due Him.

Share Jesus and His salvation with my grandchildren.

*Revelation is our next study. Are you up for the challenge? Pardon me if I appear a little hesitant.

Needful of the New

664.  "Needful of the New"                January 1, 2012
Jude 22-23     Part 14
And of some have compassion, making a difference; And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  KJV

LET IT GLOW

Here we are, the first day of a new year! I feel refreshed, even though life and circumstances are still the same as they were yesterday. Maybe it's the hope for better, putting away last year's struggles, burying problems of woe, having the Lord chisel off the not-so-good from me.
Maybe it's the excitement of NEW being available. New what, I don't know. Just NEW. Fill in the blank.
I need a new _______________, Jesus.

If I were finishing that sentence, I can think of several possibilities:
I need a new  healthier body, a new heart of joy,  stronger faith, surrendered will, encouraging way, outspoken witness of evangelism, and more songs of praise to my Savior, not to mention the physical things.

Of what are you in need? Why don't we ask Jesus for them?

The John MacArthur Bible Commentary says the word some indicate three possible groups:

1. Sincere doubters who deserve compassion,
2. Those who are deeper in unbelief and urgently need to be pulled from the fire,
3. Those declared disciples of apostasy who still deserve mercy, but are to be handled with much fear, lest the would-be-resuer also be spiritually sullied.

He goes on to say that these three groups are more likely scenarioes.
Am I alert to such people, whose doctrine or unbelief in Jesus are in need of hearing the Truth of Jesus?

LET IT GROW

What can I do to help those people?

• Show compassion, which means to succor one afflicted or seeking aid (Thayer's Lexicon); compassionate by word or deed, specifically by divine grace (Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament);
• Make a difference. Share and care; love our neighbors; help those in need.
• Help others find salvation in Jesus.
• Show mercy.

These victims of the apostate teachers need mercy and patience because they have not yet reached a firm conclusion about charist and eternal life, and so remain doubters, who could possibly be swayed to the truth. (MacArthur)

Have mercy onn those who waver in doubt; save those you can by snatching them, as it were, from the flames. show mercy in godlly fear, although you hate the clothes they wear, stained as they are by the flesh. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

We are to confront those who doubt, or convince them by patient instruction. Flirting with falsehood is like playing with fire. When we reach out to those engulfed in the flames of apostasy, we save them from destruction. We are to approach people in need with mercy and with fear. (Charles Swindoll)

We are to love the sinner, hate the sin.

I can always show more compassion toward others.

LET IT GO

Have a renewal of spiritual matters.

Love Jesus and others.

Let go of bitterness and unforgiveness.

Show more compassion.

*Happy New Year, friends!

Buildings

663.  "Buildings"                     December 31, 2012
Jude 20-21    Part 13
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  KJV

LET IT GLOW

My church is currently in the process of building a new sanctuary. The first thing done was the leveling the ground, then a cement foundation was poured. Next, the support beams were erected, walls and roof, doors and windows. We are blessed with a construction man in our church that is doing most of the work. He knows what he is doing. He knows the correct steps to take. I have seen the evidence in another church which he worked on and it is very good.
So it is with the Christian life-we need to build up ourselves on our most holy faith, as the key verse says.
Here are some comparisons of building our Christian character and building a physical building:

• A good foundation and cornerstone are essential for both. (Jesus is not only our foundation, as in 1 Corinthians 3:11, but also our cornerstone, as in Ephesians 2:20.)
• Positioning the structure is important to both. The center of gravity must fall within the base.(God's Word is what we build into our lives.)
• It is a progressive work-beams, stones, bricks. (Gold, silver, precious stones are going to build our home in heaven. Their materials are made of love, faith, hope, self-denial, patience)
• We must build for eternity and inspection in mind. Just as the physical building has to pass inspections and codes, judged by those trained in that area, so the Lord Jesus will judge our works done here.

The readers to whom Jude was writing were to act as moral and responsible agents in these, or were to put forth their own proper exertions to do it. they were to seek to establish themselves most firmly in the belief of the doctrines and practice of duties of that system of religion.  (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

Am I building up my faith or tearing it down? Am I building up the faith of others, or am I tearing it down? Things to ponder.

LET IT GROW

These two key verses give us some ways to grow:

1. build up
2. pray up
3. keep up
4. look up

We have discussed building up our faith. It is acheived, acually an ongoing proccess, that is done through the daily reading of Scriptures, memorizing Scriptures, worship, fellowship, and prayer.

Jude tells us to:

• build up our faith,
• pray up in the Holy Ghost,
• keep in love with God,
• look up for mercy and eternal life in Jesus.

The believer's responsibility is to be obedient and faithful by living out his salvation (Phil. 2:12), while God works out His will (Phil. 2:13).  (John MacArthur)

As I have lived these last two weeks visiting two hospitals of family members, it was a trying time that built my faith, challenged me to pray without ceasing under the Holy Spirit's direction, kept me going in God's love, secured me with His mercy, and focused my thoughts on eternity's being only a breath away.

Here we are at the end of another year, 2012. As I look back over the year, I ask myself:
Did I complete God's assignments for me?
Did I serve and honor Him with all my heart?
Did I allow Him to work in me, through me, and around me?
What have I learned in my walk with Jesus this year?
Have I given Him everything?
Does Jesus know that He is my everything?
Things to ponder.

LET IT GO

Keep my faith in Jesus growing. Grow in His grace and knowledge of Him.

Let go of any doubts of His power and abilities.

Stay prayed up.

Remain in God's love.

Look up to heaven, my eternal home.

*Updates: My husband is getting back to normal; sil is eating Jello and talking.
We appreciate everyones' prayers during their stay in the hospital. I hope to visit with Wanda soon.

Contented or Complainer?

662.  "Contented or Complainer?"
 December 28, 2012
Jude 16-19   Part 12
These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would  be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.  NLT

LET IT GLOW

Flattery will get you everywhere.
Have you heard that phrase before?
It may be true for some folks, but it isn't true for me. I can usually see through the flattering words and understand the purpose behind them, which is not to encourage me, but use me to get something for the speaker. Jude is still describing those apostates.
(There are 6 more verses left in this Book, so hang in there with me.) Jude is certainly not using flattery in his writings.

"These grumblers and malcontents follow their own lusts; their bloated words are nothing but flattery," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

I looked up the words that King James uses to find their definition in Thayer's Lexicon:
murmerers-one who discontentedly complains;
complainers-complaining of one's lot; discontent;
lusts-desire, craving, longing; a longing for what is forbidden;
swelling words.

The New Living Translation uses these descriptive words for the apostates:
grumblers, complainers, braggers, flatterers, scoffers, dividers.

The English Standard Version uses these words:
grumblers, malcontents, sinners, loud-mouth boasters, favoritismers (my word).

The New International Version uses faultfinders instead of complainers. followers of natural instincts instead of spiritual.

When an -er is added onto a word, it denotes a person or implement performing the act. (Webster's Dictionary)

So Jude is talking about the people doing these things.
Although I am not one, an apostates, but a follower of Jesus, do I sometimes find myself acting and talking like one?

LET IT GROW

Here are some things MacArthur Bible Commentary has to say about these verses:

• This is the only place that the word grumblers is found in the New Testament.
• Complainers were finding fault; they gave vent to disatisfaction with God's will and way as was the case with Israel, Sodom, the fallen angels, Cain, Korah, and Balaam.
• The unconverted is described as walking after their own lusts; driven by a desire for sinful self-satisfaction.
• They mouth great words, speaking arrogantly, pompously, even magnificently, but with empty, lifeless words of no spiritual value.
• They flatter people, telling them what they want to hear for their own profit rather than proclaiming the truth of God's Word for the auditors' benefit.

Author Charles Swindoll gives us some ideas on what to do about any people we encounter that are this way:

• Alert others and inform them so they are not surprised by these false teachers.
• Listen to their words and look at their lifestyle.
• Keep in shape by keeping in God's Word.
• Pray and depend on the Holy Spirit.
• Win people to Jesus.

Paul learned that whatever state he was in, to be content (Phil. 4:11), and with such things as he had (Heb. 13 5).
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess. 5:18


LET IT GO

Stay in  Bible study and prayer.

Learn to be content and grateful.

Thank Jesus for all I have and for my situation.

Ancestral Line

661.  "Ancestral Line"                        December 26, 2012
Jude 14-15     Part 11
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.  (KJV)

LET IT GLOW

In my family, I am the third child, the second daughter of my parents. Dad was the second child, the first son in his family; Mom was the sixth child in her family, the third daughter.  That's my ancestral lineage. Go any farther back and I would have to look it up in our book my distant cousin put together. Do you know where you are on you ancestral line?

What about Enoch? Who was Enoch? Genesis 5:18-24 explains:

• Jared was his father. (verse 18)
• He became the father of Methuselah at age 65. (verse 21)
• He walked with God. (verse 24)
• He didn't die-God took him directly to heaven. (verse 24)
• He was seventh down the line from Adam. (Jude 14)
• He lived and prophesied before The Flood.

Prophesied refers to the idea of foretelling future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God. (Thayer's Lexicon)

The first coming of Christ was revealed to Adam; his second, glorious coming, to Enoch; the seventh from Adam foretold the things which will conclude the seventh age of the world. St. Jude might know this either from some ancient book, or tradition, or immediate revelation. (Westley's Notes)

Enoch, in his translation without death illustrated that truth which he all of his life preached the certainty of the Lord's coming, resurrection of the dead. (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary)

You talk about a blessed man. He knew the Lord. Probably, he heard about what took place in The Garden of Eden. His revelation of the birth of the Messiah and the Lord's second coming resulted in his prophesying; he walked with God; and didn't die. What else could he want?

Will I be known as a woman who walked with God? I want to be, but so many times I have failed and walked in the flesh.

LET IT GROW

Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinner have spoken against him.

These ungodly men had a lack of reverence for God and infiltrated the church of God to corrupt it and gain riches from its people. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

What is Jude saying?

• The Lord Jesus will come with His saints, believers, to execute judgment during the Lord's  earthly reign.
•  He used the word ungodly four times in this verse. They mean basically the same thing: ungodliness, to be ungodly, act impiously. (Impiously is defined as lacking reverence for God, profane, according to Webster's Dictionary); destitute of reverential awe towards God, contemning God, impious.

So these apostates, false teachers, false prophets, are ungodly, and ungodly in their deeds (acts), which they have ungodly committed (way), and are ungodly sinners. It was for such people that Christ died. (Rom. 5:6)

How are my deeds, my ways? Am I known as an ungodly sinner, or are my ways righteous, living as Jesus would?

New Living Translation, verse 15b says, He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.

Am I ready for that? I have done some of those. (Had to add this, couldn't let it pass by after I read it in my chronological Bible today.)



LET IT GO

Walk with God daily.

Let go of  any ungodly ways.

Be more forgiving and loving, merciful and gracious.

*Thank you all for your prayers for my husband and sister in law, Wanda. Two weeks after open heart surgery, she is awake, can sequeeze a hand to communicate. However, she still has dialysis since kidneys aren't working yet. I am asking for a Wanda Miracle for her to talk, getting the tube out of her throat. Roger made it through the 4 ablations on his heart, to correct the rythm problem. He is recovering at home now, since Friday.
God is soooooooo very good to my family!!!!!!!!!!

December 25, 2012

Christmas Day

It's the day we have set aside, the world, to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Messiah. Jesus came into the world like one of us, yet not like us. He remained God, as He took on flesh like us. He chose to come in a normal way, not as a king born in a palace, but to be King in our hearts.

The babe lay in a cattle trough made of wood, then later was nailed to wood as a sacrifice for us sinners, wearing a crown of thorns from wood.

Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, as John proclaimed. A LAMB, meek and mild, yet strong enough to resist temptations and overcome the devil, strong enough to endure beatings, strong enough to stay on that tree-cross and endure to the end.

And here I am, on this silent night (Christmas Eve). I go outside and see a pale moon and Jupiter shining through the clouds. No other stars shine here. Last week I saw the fork, dippers, a brightly lit sky when I came home alone from the hospital. Jesus is my BRIGHT MORNING STAR. He is the LIGHT of the world.

It's a silent night without trucks on the highway and cars on my dirt road. Folks are home with family. All is quiet when I step outside. Was it quiet when Jesus was born? I think not-angels sang the proclamation to shepherds-Glory to God in the Highest.

Today, I saw two eagles sitting in bare trees in front of my house. My brother told me he saw 20-30 eagles earlier this morning. How beautiful they are, white heads and tail. My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

My faith wasn't running nor walking this week. It was a string connected to the heart of God. I was hanging by a thread while my loved ones lives hung in the valance. I prayed and prayed throughout the days and nights for my husband and sister in law. I waited upon the Lord and He renewed my strength. Now I am soaring with a joyful heart and tears. My husband came home Friday. My sister in law has her eyes open tracking others and can squeeze a hand in response. I will soon be visiting and talking to her,sharing all that God has done for her and her family while she slept.

This is one Christmas I shall never forget. So much to be thankful for this year-JESUS.

If you don't know Him as SAVIOR. Will you talk to Him today? Will you give your heart to Him?  He gave His life for you. Oh, how He loves you and me!

Have a wonderful day, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. I already have.

Here is a great video, which I don't know how to put on my blog, so you can see it a YouTube-by Jay Young, singing The Way He Came. It is a blessing to see.

Linda, from my country road faith

Update on Sunday:
My husband and I went to worship service this morning, and we did just that. Let me tell you, I admit that I was very concerned about the outcome of his surgery Monday. All went well, though. He came home Friday. Now to keep him resting, eating, walking with care. He had to stay an extra day in the hospital because his liver was working too well. They pumped double bags of blood thinner and a tablet to prevent any blood clots, which can lead to a stroke. The reality of it all became real.

I found his last message: The Gift of all Gifts.
Jesus was a promised gift, an unspeakable gift, an unchanging gift, an undeserved gift, and an unclaimed gift.

Jesus is the gift.
Jesus is the gift.
Jesus is the gift.
Jesus is the gift.

However you read it, it is truth.

He gives us the gift of faith, to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
He gives us the gift of righteousness, by His blood shed for us.
He gives us the gift of eternal life, which is waiting for us.

I cherish those gifts! Thank You Jesus for giving me the gift of salvation!

May I add, that my husband and I will be celebrating this Christmas because we received the gift of life-his on Dec. 17, mine on Dec. 21.
Also, my sister in law, Wanda, is still recovering from surgery, but is with us. She is not sedated and opens her eyes some. I am believing and asking God for a Wanda Miracle this Christmas.

Yes, we are blessed beyond measure!
Our two children were right beside me the whole time their father was being operated on. That love cannot be measured!

I pray the Lord will give you whatever gift you need/want: hope, love, peace, grace, mercy, joy, patience, gentleness, kindness.

Gotta go fix him supper. Will it be oatmeal, boiled eggs, or noodles? I doubt it will be Jello.

For a blessing, check out Ann Voskamp's website: a holy experience.com
Dec. 21 post was great.

I love you friends, and Jesus loves you!
Linda